WJPA Sports

SAN DIEGO (AP) — Nick Gonzales led off the 12th inning with an RBI single and the Pittsburgh Pirates snapped their three-game skid with a 3-2 victory over the San Diego Padres. Esmerlyn Valdez homered and Rafael Flores Jr. had an RBI double in the sixth for the Pirates, who rebounded from getting swept at Dodger Stadium last weekend with just their 11th win in 31 games. Jake Cronenworth tied it in the eighth with a two-out RBI single for the Padres, whose three-game winning streak ended with only their eighth loss in 29 games. San Diego’s eight-game home winning streak also ended.

PITTSBURGH (AP) — Mike McCarthy wants to work with Joey Porter Jr., but the Pittsburgh Steelers and the cornerback are at an impasse over a new deal. The team placed Porter on the physically unable to perform list at the start of training camp with what it described as a back issue. Porter has remained out even as the team has come to terms with other members of its 2023 draft class. The cornerback market across the NFL has been hot, with recent big deals for players like Seattle’s Devon Witherspoon. While Porter is out, rookie offensive tackle Max Iheanachor and defensive back Jalen Ramsey have been cleared to return after injury.

BEREA, Ohio (AP) — Deshaun Watson has won the competition for the Cleveland Browns’ starting quarterback job ahead of the Sept. 13 opener against the Jacksonville Jaguars. Coach Todd Monken made the announcement after informing Watson and Shedeur Sanders. Watson, a 10-year veteran, won the competition over Sanders as both split reps with the first unit throughout the offseason, training camp and the preseason. The decision will not be popular with Browns fans, who have booed Watson repeatedly during his time in Cleveland.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Former Mississippi tight end Dae’Quan Wright is heading to LSU if he clears waivers after being released by the Cleveland Browns, according to agent Drew Rosenhaus. Wright signed with the Philadelphia Eagles following the NFL draft and joined the Browns after he was released on Aug. 11. Wright played two seasons for LSU coach Lane Kiffin in 2024 and 2025. He caught 39 passes for 635 yards and five touchdowns for the Rebels last season. If he joins LSU, Wright would be the first known player to return to college after playing in the NFL.